Ignition system



Jan. 26, 1932.

J. -L. ARTHUR IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 51, 1950 James L. Frziwr starting motor and supplies lfatented Jan. 26, 1 932 "UNIT-ED. S'STATESZ PATENT OFFICE James L, ARTHUR, or; Ammnsom mniann, ASSIGNOR To Draco-REM? CORPORATION,

OF ANDERSON, INDIANA A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

IGNITION SYSTEM 3 u Applicationfiled December 31, 1930. Serial No. 505,873.

ing of the engine. This object is accomplished by-providing the ignition coil with a plurality of primary windings and me'ans for' connecting the primary windlngs In parallel with the battery while cranking; When i the engine has become self-operative the primary coils are connected in series by an automat1c switch controlled by an electro-magnet responsive to generator voltage.

s In the disclosed embodiment-ofthe pres- 20 ent invention, the ignition apparatus com-- prises a current source, an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings, a switch for normally connecting the primary windings in parallel for engine startmg ignition and operable into position for connecting the windings in series, an electromagnet for operating the switch, and a generatorfor energizing the electro-magnet in response to the engine becoming self-operative.

Further objects and advantages of the i present invention will be apparent from the windings In series the battery 20 to the accompanying .the electrical circuitwhen the primary coil ollowing description, reference being had drawings wherein a of. one form of the preferred embodiment] present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating windmgs are in normal or parallel relation. Fig. 2 is a view showing the primary coil relation during the running of the engine. 0 Referring to the drawings, 20 indicates a storage battery usedin connection with the startin and ignition apparatus of automotive ve icle's. The ungrounded terminal of is connected to a switch 21. An ignition coil 22 is connected to the switch 21by a lead 23. The ignition coil comprises tact 36, movable contact 37, stationary conconnected to the terminal 33 tlon, a switch connects \operate a starting motor 61 to crank the en- .in Fig.

31, lead 32, and a terminal33 of an Ignitiontimer: 34. The other branch may be traced from the terminal 27, lead 35, stationary contact 38, lead 39, the terminal 33 coil- 25, lead 40, lead 32 and of the timer 34. etlmer comprises a conducting spring and a breaker arm 46. The breaker arm is provided with a movablecontact 47 cooperating with a sta tlonary contact 48 grounded at 49. A cam 50 is operated to intermittently and regularly move the movable-contact 47 out of electrical engagement with the stationary contact 48 to break the primary circuit.

A distributor 51 has a-rotor 52 rotated at the same speed with the cam 50 of the timer 34 to bring its free end into engagement with a plurality of contacts 53. Each contact of the distributor is respectively connected by a lead 54 to a spark plu 55 of the engine. The rotor52 is electrica 1y connected by a lead 58 to-the secondary Winding 26 and to gr ound.

To start the engine with the present inven} the battery 20 to gine. During the cranking of the engine,- the primary win-dings 24 and 25, as shown 1, will be connected in parallel with the battery 20 to provide better sparking im'- pulses at the plugs 55 during said cranking.

When the enginehas become self-operative, it is desirable to have the .primary windings connected in series relation assoonas there is uflicient ,voltage produced by a genera-tor 3 to operate a snap-switch or other suit-able means. This means is advantageous so as not to hinder the operation of the en- 100 gine or injure any part of the ignition sys tem. The present invention has accom- Ehshed this result in a satisfactory manner y providing a relay 70 operated on low voltage delivered from the generator. The relay is connected to an electro-magnet that is adapted to .shift, with a quick action, the switch 68 shifting the primary windings from the parallel to the series relation while theengine is in operation.

The relay comprises a core 71, a coil 72, an armature 73 provided with a movable contact 7 l-and a stationary contact 75 connected to an electro-magnet 65 through a lead 76.

The winding 72 of the relay 70 is connected to the generator 63 by a'lead 77. After the engine is operated at low speeds, the generator.supplies suflicient current to operateself-operative to connect the primarywindings from a parallel to a series relation.

. latingly supports y then operate When the generator reaches a predetermined or highervoltage, the cut-out relay 64 will for connecting the battery 20 with the generator for charging purposes.

The electro-magnet 65 comprises a coil 66 and an armature 67. The armature 67 is secured to the switch member 68 of suitable insulating material. The member 68 insu the movable contacts 30 and37. ,When theelectro-magnet is connected into the circuit through therelay 70, the coil 66 is energized and attracts the armature 67 which moves the member 68 from the posibattery, as illustrated in 1 son that the magnetic influence ofthe coil 66, on the armature 67 is sufiicient to overpower tion shown in Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2. The armature 67 and member 68 are moved against the tension of a spring 69. While the engine is running'the primary coils 24 and 25 are connected in series relation with the Fig. 2, for the reathe effect of the spring 69, and thereby shifts the switch member 68 from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2. The movable contact 37 of the member 68 then connects the windings 24: and 25 in series.

Should the engine idle down to a speed i that the generator will not produce sufficient energy to magnetize the coil 72, the contacts 74 and 75 will open allowing the coil 66 to deenergize, whereupon the spring 69 will by the generator 63.

cause thevswitch 68 to connect the primary windings in parallel relation, and produce a better spark at the plu 's to keep the engine from stalling. reaches a speed sufficient for causing the generator to operate of movement will be repeated through which the primary windings 24. and 25 will be con- .nected in series. Should the engine stop or i become nonoperative, the relay 70 would be deenergized causing the contacts 74. andto be separated by the spring 78 and the electro-magnet would be then deenergized causing the switch member 68 to be returned to its normal position by the spring 69 that connects the primary windings in parallel relation and holds them in readiness to insure better sparking when the engine is to be started.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the" claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination; a current source; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings; a switch for normally connecting the windings in parallel; and means responsive to engine becoming self-operative to operate the switch to connect the primary windings in series. I 2. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, a current source; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings; a switch for normally connecting the windings in parallel; electro-magnetic means; and means responsive to engine becoming self-operative comprising in combination;

hen the engine the relay 7 O the above cycle for energizing the electro-magnet to operate 7 the switch to connect the primary windings in series. k

3. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination; a current source; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings, a switch for normally connecting the primary windings in parallel, a generator driven by the engine; and an electro-magnet connected with the generator to operate the switch to connect the primary windings in series.

4. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination; a battery; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings; a generator; a switch for controlling parallel and series connections of the primary windings; and an electro-magnet for operating the switch and having a coil connected with the generator.

5. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination; a battery; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings; a switch for normally connecting the primary windings in parallel for engine starting ignition and operable into position for connecting the windings in series; an electro-magnet for operating the switch; and means for energizing the electro-magnet in response to the engine becoming self operative.

6. An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising in combination;

' m a current source; anignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings a'switch for normally connecting 'the windings in parallel; a relay; electro-magnetic means; and means responsive to engine becomingselfoperative for energizing the relay and the electro-magnet to operate the switch for connecting the windings in series.

7 An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising in combination; a current source; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary windings; a switch for normally connecting the primary windings in parallel; a generator driven by the engine; a relay connected with the generator and an electro-magnet connected with the relay, said relay being responsive to low current development of the generator for operating the. switch to connect the primary windings in series. 7 I I 30, .In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

JAMES L. ARTHUR. 

